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Plasma levels of soluble CD30 are increased in children with chronic renal failure and with primary growth deficiency

G Barbano1, F Cappa, I Prigione

  • 1Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Giannina Gaslini Institute, Children's Hospital, Largo G. Gaslini 5, I-16148 Genoa, Italy.

Insights

Growth hormone (GH) treatment reduced soluble CD30 (sCD30) levels in children with chronic renal failure (CRF) and GH deficiency. This suggests GH may influence the Th1/Th2 immune balance in these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Elevated soluble CD30 (sCD30) levels are linked to Th2 lymphocyte activation.
  • Hormones like dehydroepiandrosterone, glucocorticoids, and progesterone modulate Th1/Th2 balance.
  • Growth hormone (GH) is known to enhance lymphocyte function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To measure sCD30 plasma levels in children with growth failure due to chronic renal failure (CRF) or isolated GH deficiency.
  • To evaluate the effect of recombinant human GH (rhGH) treatment on sCD30 levels and the Th1/Th2 balance.

Main Methods:

  • sCD30 plasma levels were measured using ELISA in 30 children with CRF, 5 with isolated GH deficiency, and 10 controls.
  • Measurements were taken before and after rhGH treatment in children with CRF and GH deficiency.

Main Results:

  • Children with CRF had significantly higher sCD30 levels than controls, inversely correlated with glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
  • rhGH treatment led to a significant decrease in sCD30 levels in children with CRF and those with primary GH deficiency.
  • Children with primary GH deficiency also exhibited higher sCD30 levels compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • rhGH treatment reduced sCD30 plasma levels in children with CRF and GH deficiency.
  • These findings suggest that GH may play a role in regulating CD30 expression and potentially the Th1/Th2 immune balance.
  • Further research is needed to determine if the increase in sCD30 in uremia is due to reduced renal excretion, overproduction, or both.
Abstract

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